Vernon Hills High School

Vernon Hills, Illinois

Firm

Legat Architects

Client

Community High School District 128

Area

330,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$36,069,000

Completion Date

01/2000

The design of the new high school for Community High School District 128 creates a meaningful educational environment within a business/commercial district. At 330,000 square feet, it includes: a 600-seat auditorium; a 250-seat studio theater; a 1,600-seat competition gym; a fieldhouse; two auxiliary gyms; a swimming pool; a commons area that will serve as a student dining area and theatre/main gym lobby; an instructional resource center.
Classrooms consist of: four computer laboratories; band and choral rehearsal rooms; electronics lab; power and energy lab; materials-processing lab; CAD drafting lab; graphics lab; TV Studio; international language lab.
Varying geometries and material selection separate the three principal functions of the building. These functions are zoned by their uses: athletics to the south are close to playing fields; performing arts to the west respond to predetermined access points; and classrooms form a bar along the east and north edge of the site and define site boundaries.
As one approaches the facility, the scale of the large masses breaks down to human dimension through materials and details. The assembly of the masses also creates a courtyard that acts as a visual and functional retreat from the large-scale environment that dominates outside the site.

Note: Cost/square foot includes site.

Photographer: ©Mariusz Mizera Photography